Flood Fury / Flood-Hit Villagers in Baleshwar District Struggle For Basic Sanitation As Toilets Remain Inaccessible

Baleshwar, Sep 4: The plight of flood-hit people in Baleshwar district's Bhograi block is worsening as they struggle to access basic sanitation facilities amid rising floodwaters. With water surrounding their homes, residents are being forced to risk their lives to find safe places to relieve themselves.

The sanitation crisis has come into sharp focus after a flood-affected woman, identified as Sumati, died while attempting to rescue her son and mother-in-law after they fell into floodwaters while travelling by boat for sanitation purposes.

According to a source, the woman had taken her son on a boat to relieve himself, accompanied by her mother-in-law. The boy and his grandmother reportedly fell into the water after losing their balance. Sumati entered the water in an attempt to rescue them but drowned.

The incident has triggered concern among flood-hit residents, many of whom are now afraid to venture out for sanitation needs. With floodwater inside and outside their homes, accessing toilets has become a major challenge.

Women, Elderly Among Worst Affected
Sikha Jena, a resident of Chakeisab village, said floods occur every year and people repeatedly demand relief and rescue measures from the authorities. However, she alleged that no arrangements are being made for mobile or temporary toilets in flood-affected areas.

“As floods occur every year, people repeatedly demand relief and rescue measures from the government. But there are no arrangements for mobile toilets or temporary toilets in flood-affected areas,” Jena said.

She said women, elderly people and girls are being forced to travel to higher ground during the evening or early morning hours using makeshift arrangements such as banana rafts to relieve themselves.

The problem is particularly difficult for families with young children. Jena said children are sometimes made to defecate on banana leaves or polythene sheets, which are then thrown into the floodwater.

Also Read: Odisha Floods Ease, Relief and Rescue Continue as Government Maintains Vigil

Health Risks Rise With Contaminated Water
The lack of sanitation facilities has also raised concerns over the spread of waterborne and other diseases in flood-affected areas. Open defecation and defecation in or near floodwaters can contaminate water sources and increase the risk of diseases such as hepatitis, diarrhoea and skin infections.

Residents fear that the sanitation crisis could further increase the risk of waterborne diseases, skin infections and outbreaks of illness in the flood-hit areas.

Flood-affected residents have urged the administration to immediately arrange temporary or mobile toilets at elevated locations so that people, particularly women, children and elderly residents, can access basic sanitation facilities without putting their lives at risk.